Jornet is back! Brizio excels
Jornet - supreme
Standing World skyrunning champion Kilian Jornet, is back on the top rung of the podium while Italy’s Emanuela Brizio seizes her third consecutive win in third stage of the Skyrunner® World Series held in Andorra Sunday, June 24.
Skyrunner® World Series press release:
Eleven teams from seven countries participated in the 36 km Vallnord SkyRace® which summits Andorra’s highest peak, the Coma Pedrosa, at 2,942m. Spaniard, Agustí Roc, Jornet’s team mate, was second and Britain’s Rob Jebb, third – all three past world champions battling for this year’s title. Completing the British contingent in the Saab Salomon Team were Tom Owens and Nick Sharp, fifth and ninth respectively.
Jebby was strong
At the summit, Jornet and Roc already had a six minute lead over Jebb and team mate Tom Owens, Just Sociats and Jokin Lizeaga. On the long descent to the village of Ordino, Jornet sprinted ahead of Roc, sailing to the finish line nearly 7 minutes ahead of him in 3h32’21”.
In the women’s field, Emanuela Brizio is going from strength to strength, winning her first three Series’ races outright: Costa Rica, Zegama and Andorra. Stephanie Jimenez, current ranking leader, came second and Portugal’s Rosa Madureira, third. Brizio’s brilliant performance was echoed by her closing time of 4h21’31”, more than nine minutes ahead of Jimenez.
Emanuela Brizio
Jornet missed the beginning of the season due to an enforced rest period after an intense winter of skimountaineering competitions and is clearly back on form. He comments: “I feel fine and I’ve recovered my spark and speed. I’m on the right track so I hope it continues like this!”
The current ranking leaders remain unchanged: Mexico’s Ricardo Mejia followed by Italy’s Paolo Larger and Fulvio Dapit.
Look out for more skyrunning thrills in the fourth Skyrunner® World Series race in Lecco, Italy on July 26, preceded by the European Skyrunning Championship in Canazei on July 17-19 where Europe’s top skyrunners will compete for their country.
Dramatic scenery awaits in the Skyrunner series
Vallnord SkyRace® results (extract)
Men
1. Kilian Jornet 3h32’21” (Salomon Santiveri Outdoor Team)
2. Agustí Roc 3h39’16” (Valetudo Skyrunning Italia)
3. Rob Jebb 3h45’11” (Saab Salomon Team)
Women
1. Emanuela Brizio 4h21’31” (Valetudo Skyrunning Italia)
2. Stephanie Jimenez 4h30’59” (Salomon Santiveri – Federaciò Andorrana)
3. Rosa Madureira 4h42’48” (Selecciòn Portuguesa)
Skyrunner®World Series ranking (extract)
Men
1. Ricardo Mejia (MEX) 266 points
2. Paolo Larger (ITA) 230 points
3. Fulvio Dapit (ITA) 194 points
Women
1. Stephanie Jimenez (AND) 322 points
2. Emanuela Brizio (ITA) 300 points
3. Rosa Madureira (POR) 266 points
Teams
1. Salomon Santiveri Outdoor Team
2. Valetudo Skyrunning Italia
3. Euskal Herriko Selekzioa
For full results see the Skyrunner® website
Under the auspices of the new International Skyrunning Federation, the 2009 Skyrunner® World Series, partnered by Vibram®, world leader in technical footwear soles, promises another season of racing thrills and breathtaking locations across the world’s mountain ranges.
2009 Skyrunner® World Series Races
COSTA RICA: Cordillera Volcánica Central – April 18
SPAIN: Maratòn Alpina Zegama-Aizkorri – Basque Country, May 24
ANDORRA: Vallnord SkyRace – La Massana, June 28
ITALY: Giir di Mont SkyMarathon – Premana, Lecco, July 26
USA: Pikes Peak Marathon – Colorado, August 16
UK: The Ben Nevis Race, Fort William, Scotland, September 5
MALAYSIA: Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon – October 24-25
2009 Skyrunner® World Series’ Trials
MEXICO: SkyRace Mexiquense – Volcan Nevado de Toluca, March 22
SWITZERLAND: International SkyRace – Valposchiavo, June 7
PORTUGAL: Circuito dos 3 Cântaros SkyRace – Parque da Serra da Estrela, May 31
SLOVENIA: Alpine Marathon – Petrovo Brdo, June 20
ITALY: Monterosa SkyRace – Alagna Valsesia, July 12
FRANCE: Chaberton Marathon – Montgènevre, August 2
VENEZUELA: Ávila SkyRace, Caracas, August 9
JAPAN: Mt Ontake SkyRace – Nagano, August 30
SPAIN: Puyada a Oturia – Sabiñánigo, September 27
The SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES is a circuit of races open to individual skyrunners and sponsored teams based on the sum of the best three World Series’ results and one World Series Trial. (Double points are awarded at the final to the top 15 ranked men and top 8 women). Final Prizes: € 10.000 See www.skyrunning.com for further information
